Natural Convection Heat Transfer Coefficient Correlations (S.I.

units)
1. With an isothermal horizontal plane
Inputs

Fluid =

air

Calculations

Fluid Temp, T =

30

Surface Temp, Tw =

60

Film Temp., Tf =
[ Tf = (T + Tw)/2 ]

45

Area of Plate, A =

Perim. of Plate, P =

1.0

Temp Diff, T =

30

Abs. Film Temp, Tf =

318

Prandtl Number, Pr =

0.7

Grashof Number, Gr =

2.20.E+08

Rayleigh No., Ra =

1.52E+08

C
K

m2

5.0

m
Correlation #1:

L = A/P =

Fluid Density, * =

Fluid viscosity, =
Fluid Sp. Heat, Cp =

Fluid Sp. Heat, Cp =

Fluid Thermal
Conductivity, k =

0.2

1.1

N-s/m2

J/g-oK

0.027

Nu =

60

h =

8.10

kg/m3

0.0000187

1000

for 104 < Ra < 107 :

W/m2-K

for 107 < Ra < 1011 :

Nu =

80

h =

10.82

J/kg-oK
W/m2-K

J/s-m-K
Correlation #2 ( for 105 < Ra < 1010 ):

Fluid Thermal
Expans. Coeff, =

0.003143

K-1

Nu =

30

h =

4.05

W/m2-K

NOTE: The correct correlation and resulting h value needs to be chosen based on the heat transfer
configuration and the value of Ra.

* For an Excel spreadsheet that can be downloaded to calculate the density of a gas
with known molecular weight and specified temperature and pressure, see:
"Excel Templates for Venturi and Orifice Flow Meter Calculations," at:
http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/civil/articles/83825.aspx

Equations for Natural Convection - Isothermal Horizontal Plane

Correlation #1 (for heat transfer from the upper surface of a plate

that is hotter than the fluid to to the lower surface of a fluid that is
cooler than the fluid:

Nu = 0.54 Ra1/4 ( 104 < Ra < 107 )

Nu = 0.15 Ra1/3 ( 107 < Ra < 1011 )
Correlation #2 (for heat transfer from the lower surface of a plate
that is hotter than the fluid to to the upper surface of a fluid that is
cooler than the fluid:

Nu = 0.27 Ra1/4 ( 105 < Ra < 1010 )